Sichuan Special Forces Adventure: American Tourist's Fantastic Journey
In the midst of the busy city life, American Jack longed for a flight of the soul and an intimate contact with nature. So he picked up his backpack and embarked on a journey to Sichuan, ready to go on a special forces-style adventure in this ancient and vibrant land.
After a four-hour flight from the United States to Chengdu, China's “Hibiscus City,” Jack finally set foot on this mysterious land. Since it was mid-afternoon when he arrived, Jack decided to explore the city on foot from his hotel. Originally looking for a hot pot restaurant to satisfy his taste buds, Jack accidentally found a “ghetto” of restaurants around the corner. Jack boldly chose the normal level of spiciness, but he didn't realize that this meal would become a small challenge for him on his trip to Sichuan, as the spiciness burned in his stomach and he had to hike through the streets to digest it, which inadvertently led to a chance encounter with the bustling Taikoo Li. Luckily, the hotel wasn't too far from Taikuli, which added to the excitement of Jack's first night in Chengdu.
The next day, Jack's Special Forces journey began in earnest. He woke up before dawn and took the high-speed train to Huanglong and Jiuzhai. After getting off the train, he changed vehicles and went straight to the Huanglong scenic spot. Just after the snow Huanglong, the mountain scenery is picturesque, silver, so that Jack seems to be in the fairy tale world. On the mountain, he did not feel the plateau reaction, but down the mountain suffered the aftermath of high altitude sickness – headache. However, food became his best antidote, and a delicious dinner made him forget the pain.
On the third day, Jack stepped into the coveted Jiuzhaigou. Jiuzhaigou is beautiful in all seasons, and the quietness of winter is something else. With fewer tourists and less animal activity during the winter months, Jack was able to find a deserted corner on his way to enjoy the beauty of Jiuzhaigou. As he strolled through the ditch, he was mesmerized by the picturesque landscapes, and he couldn't get enough of them. In Jiuzhaigou, it was as if he had found the true meaning of traveling – to experience the beauty of nature in tranquility.
After returning to Chengdu from Jiuzhaigou, Jack took an early morning bus to Wolong after a short rest. Luckily for him, the crowds were low and he entered the park and went straight to the Fubo Panda House, where he was able to see the adorable pandas without having to wait in line and with no time limit. Wolong's panda viewing was wide open and the weather was sunny, and Jack was thrilled to see so many lively and cute pandas.
On the fifth day, Jack continued his train journey with a visit to the Sanxingdui. From the entrance, he felt the fire of Sanxingdui. Once inside, he followed the crowds of people looking for the “signature” artifacts. He was shocked by the artifacts of Sanxingdui, each of which contained the wisdom of the ancient Shu ancestors and their respect for heaven and earth. Coincidentally, he also caught the Haihunhou group exhibition and enjoyed the precious artifacts up close.
On the sixth day, Jack embarked on his journey once again, heading to the panda base to see Hua Hua and Ye. Although there was no queue at Wolong, he had to wait for two hours to see Flora at the Panda Base. However, seeing Hua Hua's adorable appearance, he felt the wait was worth it. Although most of the other pandas were hiding in the bushes and sleeping, he was lucky enough to see a baby panda eating, which made him excited.
During his few days in Sichuan, Jack was on the go, with only sporadic time to wander around Chengdu. He went to the Koi Carp, although he was a little disappointed and felt that it was much the same as the night markets in other cities across the country; the Wuhou Temple was just a walk around the outside, as he personally wasn't too interested in the culture of the Three Kingdoms; however, the Wide and Narrow Alley gave him a small wow factor, with a variety of stores on the commercial street each with their own specialties, which gave him a sense of Chengdu's unique charms. In the evening, he went back to Taikoo Li, where the luxury stores were a treat for his eyes. Even if you don't go into the stores, it is still a pleasure to enjoy the displays of the various stores, as if you are watching an art exhibition.
This trip to Sichuan made Jack feel the magnificence and mystery of nature, the greatness and wisdom of ancient civilization, and the hustle and bustle of modern cities. He fell deeply in love with this land and felt that every trip is a spiritual baptism and growth. Perhaps, this is the meaning of travel – to keep experiencing various feelings, relaxing and making life more colorful.
